Raven's Rose
( Charity - 3 )
Deanna Kinney
All of your favorite characters return for this final installment in the Charity Series. Follow along as Levi, Charity, Eli, Raven, and Wesley embark on new adventures including forbidden love, new friendships, vampire battles, the all-too-familiar chaos, and even tragedy. This is Book 3 in the Charity Series and is a collection of novellas that interweave the stories of Raven, Eli, and Wesley. These stories will make you laugh, cry, hold your breath, and make you wish this beloved series wasn’t over.
Raven’s Rose
Charity 3
by
DeAnna Kinney
Raven’s Rose
Chapter One
It was extremely hard for Raven to function knowing Rose was just across the facility from where he stood now. Levi had moved Rose and her parents into the pack’s living quarters within the facility, making them part of his ever-growing family. Although Raven lived in the L Wing and Rose lived in the D Wing, having her so close was torture. There was no other word for it—simply torture—and yet it was a torture he yearned for. For so long he had walked this earth alone, grieving the love he lost so many years ago.
Rose Monroe.
He admired her spirit and spunk, and for the nineteenth century it had been a rare thing. It had been what he had loved about her most and the very thing that drew him, centuries later, to his friend, Charity, a girl he still adored, but perhaps in a different way now.
But now his hopes were alive again, and the possibility of love was just within his grasp. He could almost taste the sweetness of it—the sweetness of her. She was so much like his lost Rose, and yet, still so different.
His lost Rose; it was her tenacity that drew him in the field so long ago. He recalled the memory as if not even a day had passed.
It was a lovely, sunny day in 1867, and he was visiting his good friend, Marcus Monroe. They were taking a walk along the grounds, just passing the stables, when he spotted a horse charging toward them with the loveliest creature he had ever seen riding atop. Her thick, chocolate hair was down and messy, as if she had perhaps had some trouble of sorts. He was mesmerized by her beauty. He couldn’t have torn his eyes away even if he had to. She seemed agitated as she pulled the horse to a rearing stop and prepared to climb down unassisted. A stable boy quickly rushed to her side and tried to take hold of her waist, but in her jerky movement, he grabbed her bottom instead. The rage that had filled her eyes as she slapped his shocked face was what had sealed the deal for Raven. He was lost to the dark-haired beauty that possessed a fiery spirit rarely seen in those days. It was that sassy spirit that would haunt him for all of his days thereafter.
As he recalled her anger that day he laughed at the very memory, so fresh in his mind he could almost see the fire burning behind her deep, brown eyes—eyes that now belong to this new Rose. Was that same fire there—suppressed within, threatening to surface at any moment?
He had only just met her, this new Rose; introduced to him by the lovely Charity. Charity was the alpha female of his new wolf pack, his friend, and a girl who longed very much for his happiness.
He was now so grateful for Charity’s interference. She was happy with herself for having the matchmaking ability, but Raven was the one who was benefiting the most. Charity had no real way of knowing just what she had done for him when she tugged the young Rose beside her, and with a smile wider than he’d ever seen, introduced the new girl to him.
Raven’s dead heart began to beat again. One look at the lovely girl, a carbon copy of his lost Rose, a descendent of hers as well, and the sadness that always consumed him was gone in an instant, replaced by a flaming hope.
She saved his life—this Charity, and now he owed her everything, though she’d never accept it. He knew her well enough for that.
He chuckled to himself as his thoughts now turned to Charity and all she had been through in the past months, and finally pregnant with male triplets, of all things. She was receiving strengths from the trio that would someday birth the next alpha male of her pack—and now his pack. She kept the entire pack entertained with her latest episodes. The question, ‘what has she done now?’ was on everyone’s lips first thing every morning.
Raven glanced down at the photograph in his hands, and the grin that had been on his lips fell. Even after all these years, and with his new Rose here, he still missed her. His lost Rose was looking up at him with a wondrous smile, her brown eyes wide with excitement. He remembered the exact day this photograph was taken—a sunny day in 1867. She had one chance for a good pose and was trying to sit still, but Raven was behind the old, slow photographer, making faces behind his back, causing her to laugh. The old man had backed up unexpectedly, causing Raven to lose his balance and fall on his pride. Rose had laughed just as the photographer snapped the shot. He would never forget that memory for as long as he was blessed, or cursed, to walk this earth. He had sometimes been clumsy when he was a human, something far from a characteristic now.
He would find a way to make this new Rose fall in love with him. It was something he had to do. His very existence depended upon it. He would not survive losing her again.
She was the only teenage girl in the facility—among a handful of enthusiastic, hormonal, young men—all of them just like her—a werewolf. And Raven was so very different from her kind—an enemy really. He found himself wondering if they would let her go easily. If not, he would have to fight for her, and fight he would, with everything he possessed. Losing his first Rose had almost destroyed him, turning him into a vengeful monster and someone to be feared. If he lost her again he would not survive. He would not—could not—go through that kind of pain again. He knew he was not strong enough—not anymore. Once he had his family, but now, even that was gone. He could not bring himself to regret it though. Saving Charity’s life had been well worth being ostracized by his kind. He didn’t even miss his old brides, though he did sometimes get lonely; an emotion he had never struggled with before. He could only imagine the anger his brother, Griffin, had at him for joining the werewolves—their natural enemies.
For as long as he could remember, vampires and werewolves had always been sworn enemies—destined to torture and kill one another. Now he was living among his enemies, taken in by the very ones he swore to destroy. But he was happy with them. He had been invited to be a member of the pack for choosing to save Charity. Losing his family forever was the price he had paid for making that choice. But now he knew that the choice he had made had brought him a new hope, a hope that someday he may be happy again. All he had to do was win the girl of his dreams—again.
Had a vampire and a werewolf ever fallen in love before? Never. He couldn’t imagine it. Ever since the very beginning they’ve been at war. He himself had killed countless werewolves without any remorse. Only now was it a possibility—and all because of his young friend, Charity—the one he called his queen.
He and this new Rose had spent hours talking last night. She’d wanted to know about her great-great grandmother Rose. She asked Raven many questions. How did they meet? Why did he leave her? And was she beautiful? He’d answered every one with eagerness. He enjoyed the brightness in her eyes when she was talking about something she was interested in. He would’ve answered any question she asked. Every time her eyes sparkled with delight, his now beating heart, jumped in his chest. But her questions had triggered his old memories, and he was hurting from the loss that now seemed so fresh.
The truth was he had questions of his own, ones that only his lost Rose could answer, and thus, would never be answered. He wanted to know if she had missed him when he never returned. Had she ever thought of him? Had her husband been good to her? And in the end, had
she ever stopped loving him?
* * *
Raven sat on his sofa watching the clock slowly tick away. He had a dinner date with his new Rose tonight. He was more than thrilled when she had agreed to go out with him. He wasn’t sure what he’d say to her. It had been a while since he had to win over a woman. His vampire brides were one thing, always flocking to him with eagerness. But this was a human woman—a woman carrying the werewolf gene. She was also the sister to his new friend, Eli, the twin brother to this pack’s alpha male. What would he say to her? Maybe Charity could give him some advice. She and Levi, her husband, and the alpha to the pack, seemed to be very much in love. Surely she’d know what to say. And with that thought, Raven decided to go find her.
He found Charity in the kitchen aggravating Chef Barney—something he knew amused her.
“Charity, may I have a word with you?”
“Raven!” she said, her eyes lighting up with excitement. “How’d it go last night? Levi told me you and Rose practically talked all night.”
He smiled. “Yes. We had a nice time. She is very lovely.”
“She is very lovely—are you kidding me?” She threw her hands up and gave him an exasperated look. “Raven, she’s the spitting image of your lost Rose. It’s almost like you have her back again. Aren’t you thrilled?”
His face fell. “Yes, but—”
She slapped her forehead. “Oh don’t tell me you’re scared. Raven Vanderburg—scared? That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“It is just that I do not know what to say to her. This night could be the first or the last for me. Do you not see?”
“Hmm. I think I do. Come with me.” She took hold of his arm and led him out of the D Wing and into the L Wing and didn’t stop pulling him along until they entered the library where they could be alone. As soon as she shut the door behind them, she spun around to face him and grinned. “Excuse me if I don’t want anyone to hear this, but, Raven, you’re the most gorgeous man alive, besides my Levi of course. Oh and Eli too, since they’re twins and all. Anyway, I saw the way she was looking at you. She’s in love with you already, and if she isn’t then she almost is. You’re a great guy—for a vampire that is.”
He grimaced.
She shook her head in exasperation. “Wait. I’m not saying this right. I guess what I mean is, if I hadn’t fallen in love with Levi I could’ve fallen for you. ‘Cause underneath all that toughness is a really sweet, gentle, romantic, very old, very cryptic vampire.”
They both laughed.
“Thank you, Charity. I am still not quite sure you were helpful, but thank you anyway.”
“Any time. Now, don’t you worry about your date. Just be yourself and remember to be a gentleman. And if all else fails just stare at her like she’s the only girl on the planet. That’s how Levi got me to fall in love with him. Now, I better go. If Levi hears I’m in here alone with you, you won’t have eyeballs to look at her with.”
“Thanks, my queen. You never cease to amuse.”
“Yeah, well, that’s my job these days. See ya, Raven. Good luck tonight. And tomorrow I want all the details.”
“Yes, my queen.” He bowed dramatically.
She slapped his arm. “Get over yourself Rayvac.”
He rubbed his arm in mock pain, giving her the satisfaction she desired.
Chapter Two
Rose was having a hard time sleeping, tossing and turning restlessly. She knew she needed her sleep after spending hours into the night talking to Raven, but she couldn’t seem to shut out the thoughts flooding her mind now.
She recalled his adorable expression when he’d first laid eyes on her. But soon she discovered it wasn’t because of her at all. It was due to the fact that she resembled her great-great grandmother Rose. Raven had been in love with her many years ago, and from the look of things he was still in love with her. Surprisingly, Rose found herself struggling with the emotion—jealousy. She never really cared for the emotion before, but it was invading her spirit with a vengeance.
Raven was so unlike the other guys she’d dated. He was more of a man than a boy; tall, strong, with pale skin and striking features. His black, silky hair just touched his shoulders, and his eyes alone had captivated her with their depth and darkness. She realized, during their conversations, more than once, she was staring into those black orbs wondering what pain they held and horrors they had seen. She had been surprised to realize she longed to comfort him from all his years of suffering over the loss of his Rose. But every time she thought of her great-great grandmother she felt angry. She didn’t understand why exactly, after all she just met this man. He was virtually a stranger and a vampire on top of that. In a normal world she would never have been associating with him at all. But this is not a normal world, at least not anymore.
Her hatred for vampires wasn’t embedded in her from birth as was the case with most werewolves raised in a pack. She and her brother, Eli were raised alone, separated from their home pack for fear that Eli’s secret would be discovered. Eli was the secret twin of the alpha, and to protect them both, they were separated at birth and sent away to live separate lives. Though it was rare, in the only recorded cases of twin alphas, with their competitive natures, one had killed the other. Eli and Levi’s parents couldn’t risk it and thus sent the younger, though only by minutes, away to live in secret with another couple. Eli was compelled to search out Levi, his brother and twin. And that’s what brought her here, to the home of her and Eli’s parent’s original pack and the home of one mysterious and cryptic vampire.
When she lived in Atlanta with her parents and brother, she lived a normal life, pretending to be a normal girl, dating normal, human guys. But all that changed when Eli left to find his twin, and understandably so. She held no ill feelings toward her brother for leaving. She’d have done the same thing. She adored her brother—respected him. He’d never do anything intentionally to harm her. She knew that now. Back in Atlanta, there was a moment when she felt differently. He’d attacked Kyle, her latest boyfriend. He suspected Kyle of mistreating her, and it was true, but something about him hurting Kyle had made her angry. She still didn’t quite know why, but it no longer mattered. Kyle was long gone, angry that she’d had to move away.
She recalled the night she told him.
They had just returned from dinner and were sitting in his car when she approached the subject.
Rose was very nervous as she began the conversation. “Kyle, I have something to tell you.” She swallowed hard and proceeded. “My family and I are moving. I don’t have a choice in the matter. We’re moving to North Carolina. You and I can’t see each other anymore.” She could feel the anger radiating from him and it scared her.
He gaped at her, his jaw tight. “I don’t think so. You’re staying here with me. I don’t care what your parents say. And if that crazy brother of yours thinks he can bully me again, I’ll kill him.”
She became angry at his words, forgetting her fear. “How dare you talk about my family like that! You’re a jerk! My brother tried to tell me, but I didn’t listen!”
He had suddenly reached across the car and grabbed her by her hair. “You’ll regret saying those things to me, you little b—”
Rose couldn’t believe what she had done next. She had swung and punched him in the nose. But it had worked. He released her instantly, and grabbed his face, yelling in anger as the blood trickled through his fingers.
Rose didn’t waste a second. She jumped out of the car and ran down the road, only getting a little way before a car screeched to a halt in front of her.
“Get in, baby girl!” called her dad, swinging the door open.
She felt such relief as she jumped in and slammed the door shut behind her.
Her dad seemed concerned as he studied her face for signs of injury and emotion. “Are you okay, Rosebud?”
She nodded. “Yeah, I think so.”
She’d never been so relieved to see her dad in all her
life. “Dad! How did you know where to find me?”
“I have to confess—I followed you. Eli shared with me his concerns about Kyle, and when you told me you were telling him tonight about our move, I had a feeling it might go bad. I’m sorry, but I had to.”
She reached over and hugged him. “Oh, Dad. I love you.”
“So you’re not mad at me?”
“Mad at you for protecting me? No—at least not this time.”
They both laughed as he turned their car toward home.
Chapter Three
Rose threw her covers back and climbed out of bed. It was ten o’clock anyway, and she couldn’t sleep. When she emerged from the shower and was fully dressed, she went into the little kitchen hoping that her mother had something fixed for her to eat, of course she did. Her father was sitting in his usual chair, reading the paper. She plopped down on the old, blue sofa with her pancake in hand.
“Hey, Dad, what’s up?” she asked, studying him as she took a huge bite. He was still very handsome for a man in his fifties. His hair was thinning, but just barely, and his hands were big and strong. She had always admired them as a young girl when he would hold her hand, or pick her up and twirl her around.
He peeped at her over his paper before sitting it down in his lap. “Not too much, but I hear something’s up with you.”
She shrugged, taking another bite. “Oh—yeah, I guess there is.”
“And when were you going to tell me you hooked up with the only vampire in this place. All these cute, young werewolves and you choose the vampire.”
She would have been alarmed if it weren’t for the smirk on his face. She sighed in relief. “Well, he seems to be a good guy, and he knew great-great grandmother Rose, so we spent a lot of time talking about her.”
Raven's Rose c-3 Page 1
